Marble labyrinth puzzle

ABSTRACT

A labyrinth puzzle provided with a single inlet designed to receive and retain a marble. The labyrinth includes at least one T-shaped passage formed by first and second channels, the second channel intercepting the first channel intermediately. The first channel forms the arms of the T, one arm being provided with a throwing station and the other arm having a trap at its end. The second channel or leg portion of the T defines at its end the marble destination. The marble in the labyrinth is thrown from the throwing station to the destination to release the marble from the labyrinth. In a preferred embodiment, two T-shaped passages are overlapped, a common channel functioning as the leg portion of the first T-shaped passage and the arms of the second T-shaped passage. In this manner, the destination of the first Tshaped passage becomes the throwing station of the second Tshaped passage, thereby requiring two successive throws of the marble to release it from the labyrinth.

United States Patent Benton et al.

[ 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] MARBLE LABYRINTH PUZZLE [72] Inventors: RichardBenton, Santa Rosa; Michael Gonzeles, Sebastopol, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Leland Dibble, Jr., Santa Rosa,

Calif.

[22] Filed: March 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No; 119,694

[52] US. Cl ..273/153 R, 144/325, 273/113 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63f 7/04 [58]Field of Search ..273/109,ll1,113,114,115, 273/116, 117, 153 R [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 403,012 5/1889 Washbum ..273/109507,667 10/1893 Taylor ..273/109 600,696 3/1898 Patterson ..273/1 13680,434 8/1901 Lyle ..273/153 1,021,281 3/1912 Vessels ..273/153 R2,318,793 5/1943 Pait ..273/109 2,509,340 5/1950 Fly ..273/109 2,553,9135/1951 Gleasman ..273/109 3,135,512 6/1964 Taylor ..273/109 3,218,7541l/1965 Hunter ..46/2 3,406,971 10/ l 968 Koff ..273/ 109 839,73312/1906 Davenport ..273/156 Primary ExaminerAnton O. OechsleAtt0meyTownsend and Townsend [57] ABSTRACT A labyrinth puzzle providedwith a single inlet designed to receive and retain a marble. Thelabyrinth includes at least one T-shaped passage formed by first andsecond channels, the second channel intercepting the first channelintermediately. The first channel forms the arms of the T, one arm beingprovided with a throwing station and the other arm having a trap at itsend. The second channel or leg portion of the T defines at its end themarble destination. The marble in the labyrinth is thrown from thethrowing station to the destination torelease the marble from thelabyrinth. In a preferred embodiment, two T-shaped passages areoverlapped, a common channel functioning as the leg portion of the firstT-shaped passage and the arms of the second T-shaped passage. In thismanner, the destination of the first T-shaped passage becomes thethrowing station of the second T-shaped passage, thereby requiring twosuccessive throws of the marble to release it from the labyrinth.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented 'Sept. 5, 1972 Y FIG.;6

I N VEN TORS RICHARD BENTON MICHAEL GONZALES ATTORNEYS MARBLELABYRINTI-I PUZZLE This invention relates to a self-amusement puzzle,and more particularly, to a labyrinth having a single entrance intowhich a marble is placed and subsequently retrieved by a nonobviousthrowing movement of the puzzle.

Labyrinth puzzles for receiving marbles have heretofore typically beenconstructed in sections, and thereafter glued together or otherwiseassembled to make the finished puzzle. Such procedures are unfortunatelytime-consuming and require precision manufacturing techniques, therebyunduly increasing production costs of the puzzle.

It is thus an object of the present invention to reduce the foregoingproduction limitations by providing a labyrinth puzzle having a T-shapedpassage for receiving and retaining a marble. Such a labyrinth puzzlemay readily be constructed by boring channels into an opaque block,which intersect to form the T-shaped passage. All but one of theopenings in the block may then be plugged to provide a single opening toreceive and exit the marble. Typically, the opening communicates withthe leg portion of the T-shaped passage. A throwing station is definedat the end of one of the arms of the T. The other arm of the T isprovided with a trap, so that in the solution of the puzzle, only oneprecise throwing motion can dislodge the marble from the labyrinth.

A labyrinth puzzle having such a T-shaped passage is advantageous inthat it can be formed by drilling into an opaque block of material, suchas hardwood, along a plurality of straight line paths. Accordingly,fabrication of the puzzle in discrete sections is not required.Furthermore, mere rotational movement of the puzzle, whether inadvertentor intentional, will not dislodge the marble from the labyrinth, sincethe motion for dislodging the marble from the puzzle is not obvious andrequires skill and patience to solve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide specific sizerelationships between the passages and traps of the labyrinth, in whichthe passages are slightly larger than the marble and the traps aresubstantially larger than the marble.

This passage-to-trap relationship is advantageous in that the positionof a marble in a trap can be perceived by oscillating the puzzle andobserving the sound and vibration produced thereby.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a labyrinthpuzzle having at least two overlapping T-shaped passages, so that twodiscrete throwing motions are required to successfully dislodge themarble from the labyrinth.

An advantage of this overlapping T-shaped passage construction is thatinadvertent solution of the puzzle without truly understanding thethrowing motion necessary to solve the puzzle is reduced to a nearimpossibility.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a labyrinth puzzle according to thepresent invention held in a human hand, the hand being illustrated inphantom;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation section taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end section taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a reduced side elevation section illustrating the marble inthe labyrinth at the throwing station of the first T-shaped passage;

FIG. 5 is a cartoon series illustrating the movement of the marble fromits throwing station position illustrated in FIG. 4 to its destinationillustrated in solid lines; and

FIG. 6 is a cartoon series illustrating the movement of the marble fromthe throwing station of the second T-shaped passage to the destinationwhich exits the marble from the labyrinth.

Referring now to the drawing, with particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2,and 3, there is provided a labyrinth puzzle, shown generally at 10,according to the present invention. Labyrinth puzzle 10 comprises anopaque rectangular block having substantially square side surfaces 12and rectangular top 14, bottom 16 and sides 18 and 20. Formed withinpuzzle 10 are three traps interconnected by two overlapping T- shapedpassages. A single entrance adapted to receive a marble A or otherspherical object, such as a ball bearing, is provided in communicationwith the passages, so as to permit the marble to enter the passages andtraps, the object of the puzzle being to exit the marble from thelabyrinth.

Specifically, a cylindrical bore or channel 22 is provided through top14 toward end 18. Channel 22 is substantially perpendicular to top 14and extends downwardly into the puzzle 10 to a depth substantiallycorresponding to two-fifths of the height of the puzzle. The diameter ofchannel 22 is substantially larger than the diameter of the marble Aemployed with the puzzle, so that channel 22 will form a trap, as willbe described in greater detail hereinafter. A cylindrical channel orbore 24 is provided concentric with channel 22, channel 24 extendingdownwardly to a depth of approximately four-fifths of the height ofpuzzle 10. Channel 24 is of a diameter slightly greater than thediameter of marble A, and will form a portion of the passages to bedescribed hereinafter. A cylindrical bore or channel 26 is providedsubstantially through the center of top 14, extending downwardly intopuzzle 10 to a depth of approximately one-half the height of the puzzle.Channel 26 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of channel24, and forms the entrance portion of the puzzle passages.

Another cylindrical bore or channel 28, substantially identical tochannel 22, is provided at the other end of top 14. Concentric withchannel 28 is a channel 30 extending downwardly from channel 28 to adepth of approximately one-half the puzzle height. Channels 28 and 30respectively form a trap and a portion of the passages, in a mannersimilar to channels 22 and 24.

Still another cylindrical channel or bore 32 is provided substantiallythrough the center of side 20, extending into puzzle 10 towards side 18.Channel 32 has a depth of approximately four-fifths of the width of thepuzzle, so as to intersect the ends of channels 26 and 30, and terminateat an intersection intermediate channel 24. Once again, channel 32 formsa portion of the puzzle passages, and is thus of similar diameter tochannels 24, 26 and 30.

Yet another pair of concentric bores or channels are provided throughside 20. Specifically, a cylindrical bore or channel 34 is providedthrough the end of side 20 adjacent bottom 16. Channel 34 extends intopuzzle to a depth of two-fifths the width of the puzzle, and is ofsimilar diameter to channel 22 and 28, to form another trap. Concentricwith bore 34 is another bore 36 extending into puzzle 10 to a depth ofapproximately four-fifths of the puzzle width to terminate at anintersection with the end .of channel 24. Bore 36 forms still anotherportion of the labyrinth passages and is thus of similar diameter tochannels 24, 26, 30 and 32.

Four cylindrical plugs 38, 40, 42 and 44 of suitable diameters aredisposed in the external ends of channels 22, 28, 32, and 34,respectively. The openings of these channels are thus closed to provide.a single opening, namely channel 26, for receiving and exiting themarble A.

The channels and plugs thus described cooperate to form passages andtraps of the labyrinth puzzle according to the present invention. Inparticular, channel 22 and plug 38 form a trap or cavity adapted totemporarily retain the marble A, should the marble A enter channel 22from channel 24, due to the disparity in diameters between channels 22and 24. Upon entering trap 22, the marble A will move freely therein,and will tend to remain therein due 'to the relatively small exittherefrom provided by channel 24. Of course, by suitable manualmanipulation of the puzzle 10, marble A may be exited from trap 22 viachannel 24, as would be required in the course of the solution of thepuzzle.

Channel 28 and plug 40 and channel 34 and plug 44 similarly cooperate toform two additional traps having entrances via channels 30 and 36,respectively. Thus, according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, three traps 22, 28 and 34 are provided for retaining themarble A.

The remaining channels described hereinbefore cooperate to form twooverlapping T-shaped passages. Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 5,channels 24 and 32 cooperate to form a first T-shaped passage B(indicated in dashed line in FIG. 5). Channel 24 may be regarded as thearms of T-shaped passage B, channel 32 being the leg portion thereof.The end of one of the arms of T-shaped passage B may be regarded as athrowing station for marble A. Specifically, the intersection ofchannels 24 and 36 functions as a first throwing station, showngenerally at 48. The end of the leg portion of passage B functions asthe destination for marble A. Specifically, the intersection of channel32 and plug 42 functions as a destination, shown generally at 50. Aswill be described in greater detail hereinafter, marble A must betranslated from first receiving station 48 to destination 50 in thecourse of the solution of the puzzle. However, traps 22, 28 and 34communicate with passage B via channels 24, 30 and 36, respectively.Thus, in attempting the solution of the puzzle, it is quite possible, ifnot probable, that marble A will enter one of the traps 22, 28 or 34,rather than accomplishing the desired translation.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, channels 26 and 32 cooperate to form asecond T-shaped passage C (indicated in dashed line in F IG; 6).Specifically, channel 32 functions as the arms of T-shaped passage C,while channel 26 functions as the leg portion thereof. Note that channel32 functions as both the arms of passage C and the leg portion ofpassage B, thus illustrating the overlapping of the two T-shapedpassages referred to hereinbefore.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, destination 50 is located at the end of oneof the arms of T-shaped passage C, and functions as the throwing stationfor that passage, as described with respect to throwing station 48 andT- shaped passage B. The destination of the T-shaped passage C issimilarly located at the end of the leg portion thereof, and thuscomprises the opening at the end of channel 26. Thus, in the solution ofthe puzzle, it is desired to translate the marble from destination 50 tothe opening at the end of channel 26, in order to exit the marble fromthe labyrinth. Note, however, that traps 22, 28 and 34 communicate withpassage C via channels 24, 30 and 36, respectively. Thus, it is possiblethat in attempting this translation, marble A may instead enter one ofthe traps 22, 28 or 34, thereby making such translation difficult,which, in turn, contributes to the complexity of the puzzle and theenjoyment derived therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 2, a dowel or rod 46 of a diameter smaller thanchannel 26 may be provided to form a storage device for marble A.Specifically, dowel 46 may be inserted into channel 26 in order toprevent marble A from entering the labyrinth. Dowel 26 may be ofsuitable length to form a marble-retaining cavity within channel 26,suitable for the storage of marble A, out of harms way. Of course, dowel46 may be omitted, and marble A may be stored within the labyrinth.However, applicant has found it desirable to store and transport marble-A outside of the labyrinth, in order to permit the operator of thepuzzle to personally insert the marble into the labyrinth. By so doing,the operator is assured that ultimate dislodgment of the marble from thelabyrinth is possible, thereby contributing to his motivation to'playwith the puzzle, and thus derive enjoyment therefrom.

The construction of labyrinth puzzle 10 thus described is advantageousin that it can be formed by drilling into an opaque block of materialalong a plurality of straight line paths, perpendicular to the surfaceof the block. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, bores or channels 22 and24 may be formed by drilling into block 10 at the appropriate locationwith a dual diameter drill, the drill having a smaller diameter portionof a suitable length to form channel 24 and a concentric larger diameterportion of suitable length to form channel 22. Of course, two individualdrills may be used successively if a dual diameter drill is unavailable.The remaining channels may be formed in a similar manner, eitherconcurrently or successively, depending upon the sophistication of thedrilling apparatus available, and the degree of automation desired.Thereafter, plugs 38, 40, 42 and 44 are force-fit, glued or otherwisefixedly inserted into channels 22, 28, 32 and 34, respectively, to formthe desired traps and passages. The undesired openings in block 10 willthus be closed, leaving an apparently solid opaque block having a singleinlet designed to receive a marble communicating with internal traps andpassages as described hereinbefore.

Of course, the labyrinth puzzle according to the present invention mayalternatively be formed by constructing a mold therefor, and thereaftermolding the puzzle from a solid material in a liquid or plastic state.

In operation, marble A and dowel 46 are removed from their shippingpositions (illustrated in FIG. 2), and marble A is inserted into theentrance defined by channel 26. Due to the action of gravity, incombination with rotational or vibrational motion imparted to the puzzleby the operator, marble A will assume a random position within thenetwork of passages and traps defined within the puzzle. Due to thedisparity in diameters between the traps and the passages, as describedhereinbefore, marble A will tend to reside in one of the traps 22, 28 or34. Rotational movement of the puzzle, whether inadvertent orintentional, if initially successful in dislodging marble A from thetrap will most probably result in moving the marble A to another of thetraps 22, 28 or 34, unless the requisite procedures now to be describedare employed. In this manner, the puzzle will provide amusement andrecreation and will require skill and patience to dislodge the marbletherefrom.

In order to successfully dislodge the marble from the labyrinth, thepuzzle is initially oriented as depicted in FIG. 4. Vibration of thepuzzle will dislodge marble A from the traps and, due to the action ofgravity, marble A will assume the first throwing position 48, asindicated in FIG. 4. That marble A is in the requisite throwing position58 may be verified by gently oscillating the puzzle 10. If marble Aresides within one of the traps 22, 28 or 34, a discernable vibrationwill both be heard and felt, since the traps are substantially largerthan the marble. If, however, marble A has assumed throwing position 48,little or no vibration will be observed, since the passages are onlyslightly larger than the marble. It is preferable, of course, thatmarble A be formed of a hard material, such as glass or steel, so thatthe vibration of the marble within the traps will produce substantialaudible and tactile phenomena.

After verifying the fact that marble A is in throwing position 48,puzzle is rotated with a slight throwing motion as indicated in FIG. 5,so asto cause marble A to be thrown to destination 50. This operationrequires skill and patience, since it is necessary to impart a throwingmotion to marble A in order to prevent marble A from rolling into trap34. Contrarily, the imparting of too much momentum to marble A willcause marble A to be thrown into trap 22. The fact that marble A hasassumed destination position 50 may be verified by oscillating thepuzzle, substantially as described hereinbefore.

After having verified that marble A has assumed destination position 50,the puzzle 10 is then rotated with a similar throwing motion, so as tocause marble A to be thrown into channel 26, from which it exits thepuzzle. Once again, care and patience must be exercised to preventmarble A from falling into trap 28 or from being thrown into trap 22. Ifeither of these contingencies should occur, it is possible that theentire procedures described herein may have to be repeated, dependingupon the skill and acuity of the operator.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the dislodgment of marble A fromthe puzzle requires skill and patience, as well as an understanding ofthe motion necessary to translate the marble along the T-shaped passagesdefined within the puzzle. Accordingly, the

possibility of inadvertent solution of the puzzle is negligable, thuscontributing to the amusement and satisfaction achieved by successfullydislodging the marble from the puzzle.

While the puzzle 10 according to the present invention has beendescribed as being opaque, it could, of course, be formed in a block oftransparent material. Furthermore, the traps and passages therein neednot be cylindrical, as described herein, but may have any desiredcross-sectional shape.

Thus, while a particular embodiment of the present invention has beenshown and described in detail, it is apparent that adaptations andmodifications may be made without departing from the true spirit andscope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A labyrinth puzzle for receiving and retaining a marble comprising:

first and second linear intersecting channels, sai

channels having a dimension permitting movement of said marble therein,said first channel communicating to the exterior of said puzzle at oneend to form the sole entrance and exit for said marble and at the otherend intersecting said second channel intermediately, a throwing stationdefined at one end of said second channel for imparting momentum to saidmarble when a throwing motion is imparted to said puzzle, and first andsecond traps communicating with the ends of said second channel, saidfirst and second traps intersecting said second channel at accessesparallel to the access of the first channel to its intersection withsaid second channel.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a third linearchannel, said third channel being substantially coplanar with said firstand second channel and intermediately intersected by said secondchannel, said third channel defining at one end a throwing station andthird and forth traps communicating with said ends of said thirdchannel.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said channels are defined in asingle block of material.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said block of material isopaque.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said channels are cylindrical.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said traps have a dimensionsubstantially larger than said marble.

7. A labyrinth puzzle for receiving and retaining a marble comprising: aT-shaped passage having first and second linear and intersectingpassages, said passages having a dimension permitting movement of saidmarble, the leg portion of said passage communicating with the exteriorof said puzzle to form the sole entrance and exit for said marble, theend of one arm of said passage defining a throwing station for impartingmomentum to said marble when a throwing motion is imparted to saidpuzzle and first and second traps communicating with the ends of thearms of said passage along accesses parallel to the access of the firstpassage to the intersection of the leg portion of said T-shaped passagewith the arm portion of said T-shaped passage.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a second T-shapedpassage substantially coplanar with and overlapping said first T-shapedpassage, the arms passages are defined in a single block of opaquemateria].

.10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said passages arecylindrical.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said traps have a dimensionsubstantially greater than the diameter of said marble.

1. A labyrinth puzzle for receiving and retaining a marble comprising:first and second linear intersecting channels, said channels having adimension permitting movement of said marble therein, said first channelcommunicating to the exterior of said puzzle at one end to form the soleentrance and exit for said marble and at the other end intersecting saidsecond channel intermediately, a throwing station defined at one end ofsaid second channel for imparting momentum to said marble when athrowing motion is imparted to said puzzle, and first and seconD trapscommunicating with the ends of said second channel, said first andsecond traps intersecting said second channel at accesses parallel tothe access of the first channel to its intersection with said secondchannel.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a thirdlinear channel, said third channel being substantially coplanar withsaid first and second channel and intermediately intersected by saidsecond channel, said third channel defining at one end a throwingstation and third and forth traps communicating with said ends of saidthird channel.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said channelsare defined in a single block of material.
 4. Apparatus according toclaim 3 wherein said block of material is opaque.
 5. Apparatus accordingto claim 3 wherein said channels are cylindrical.
 6. Apparatus accordingto claim 3 wherein said traps have a dimension substantially larger thansaid marble.
 7. A labyrinth puzzle for receiving and retaining a marblecomprising: a T-shaped passage having first and second linear andintersecting passages, said passages having a dimension permittingmovement of said marble, the leg portion of said passage communicatingwith the exterior of said puzzle to form the sole entrance and exit forsaid marble, the end of one arm of said passage defining a throwingstation for imparting momentum to said marble when a throwing motion isimparted to said puzzle and first and second traps communicating withthe ends of the arms of said passage along accesses parallel to theaccess of the first passage to the intersection of the leg portion ofsaid T-shaped passage with the arm portion of said T-shaped passage. 8.Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a second T-shapedpassage substantially coplanar with and overlapping said first T-shapedpassage, the arms of said first T-shaped passage being common with theleg portion of said second T-shaped passage, a throwing station definedat the end of one of the arms of said second T-shaped passage forimparting momentum to said marble when a throwing motion is imparted tosaid puzzle and a third trap communicating with the end of said one armof said second passage.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein saidpassages are defined in a single block of opaque material.
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said passages are cylindrical. 11.Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said traps have a dimensionsubstantially greater than the diameter of said marble.